US Greenlights $675M F-35 Maintenance Services to South Korea

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for follow-on support and services for its F-35 aircraft, engines, weapons and related equipment for an estimated cost of $675 million.

The Republic of Korea had requested follow-on support and services for its F-35 aircraft, engines, and weapons; publications and technical documentation; support equipment; spare and repair parts; repair and return; test equipment; software delivery and support; pilot flight equipment; personnel training equipment; US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of program support, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Friday.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting legitimate security and defense needs of one of its closest allies in the INDOPACOM Theater. The Republic of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region, the release said.

The proposed sale will sustain the Republic of Korea's flight and maintenance activity. It will improve sustainability and continue support for the F-35 fleet.

The principal contractor will be the Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD and Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, CT. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the Purchaser and the prime contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 14-26 additional US contractor representatives to the Republic of Korea.